Tag: Psychostick

Three Members Of Psychostick Explore More Personal And Serious Side In Their Music

Evacuate Chicago, a hard rock trio formed by three members of the humor core band Psychostick, will see its debut album, “Veracity,” released by Rock Ridge Music on January 26, 2010. Drummer Alex Preiss, who is the primary songwriter for Evacuate Chicago, is joined in the band line-up by guitarist/bassist/vocalist Josh Key and lead vocalist Rob Kersey. Says Preiss of the additional musical outlet: “Evacuate Chicago is a perfect example of a ‘side project.’” It allows the threesome an opportunity to explore more personal and serious topics with their music, neither of which would fit into the humor-driven Psychostick oeuvre. Recorded in early 2008 at Toxic Recordings in Gilbert, AZ, “Veracity” was produced by the band and mixed by Key. Nine of the songs were penned by Preiss, while three were brought in by Key.

Says Rock Ridge Music CEO Tom Derr about the decision to release the record: “It’s the guys from Psychostick – a no brainer (the project, not the guys), f***in’ A!”

Formed in 2004 during a down time for Psychostick, Evacuate Chicago wrote the songs that would become the basis of “Veracity” and went on to perform a handful of shows. Fan requests for the music, quite different from that made by their other band, prompted Evacuate Chicago to record the album and finally release it. Prior to the national distribution it will see in 2010, “Veracity” was available for download on the band’s MySpace page.

Says Preiss: “I wrote my first song ever in the beginning of 2004, and that became the song ‘Deny.’ At the time, Psychostick was very inert, and we were all having quite a terrible year for some reason. My way of coping with everything that was going on with me was to write extremely honest songs about my life and my experiences, thus the name ‘Veracity.’ To me, this album is a candid snapshot into my life at the time, and I am extremely grateful that we will finally get to reveal it to the world.”

While plans for live shows and tour dates are still to be determined, fans will be able to enjoy the recorded version of Evacuate Chicago come January. Preiss is glad they were able to express parts of themselves that they could not in the context of Psychostick’s prevailing humor and wackiness. “We are in a great place now,” Preiss says, “and writing this album helped us get there. I can only hope to make a difference in someone’s life, the way all of my favorite bands made a difference to me.”

Psychostick is a national touring comedy/metal/hardcore act that formed in 2000 to bring the ridiculous ideas and antics of a few computer nerds and lovers of music. Psychostick has released 3 records nationwide and just finished touring for their latest album, Sandwich.

Click below to get a free download of the Psychostick song, “Girl Directions”. You can buy Sandwichat this link.